I think I should probably start this by explaining my entry and reasons for it.

First off is the contest itself. I had an idea in the very beginning about what kind of animation I wanted to do for this competition. I didn't want my character to be the typical secret agent/spy that is from the movies ( James Bond or Mission Impossible movies come to mind most prevalently). This was because I just couldn't justify a secret agent being internationally know among all of the people he is spying on. I mean how can a “secret” agent really be secret if he is already know by everyone. Anyway, this is why I opted for confrontation (or lack there of) that isn't exactly typical for the hero in spy movies.

I suppose this is where I should go into my “screen play” for this.

This is not formated because I'm just doing it give a detailed account of my story I don't need it for my production.

I have started to do some key framing for the animation. Don't have nearly enough at this point because I am finding it hard to get accurate reference shots alone. I am going to try and get the reference shots done in the next few days and hopefully finish at least one Shot by the end of this week.

I'll post what I have so far along with some of the concept images. I really need to update this page...

I used this shot to test some styles for the characters. I decided on this one. I was originally going to do them on paper but decided to just go for a computer painted look. Its really just because of the time constraints, but I still like the results. This shot was chosen because I have the most pose reference shots for my key frames. I'll try to get one of the earlier scenes done first though.

In this shot the agent is removing his target package from a locker at the train station.

I have several shots nearly finished, but still need to get started on the rest. This is basically just a test to see how uploading my videos is going to work.

I am going to finish all of the frames to around this degree before I start painting in the detail and accessories (such as his hat, etc.). As soon as I have the rest of the scenes roughly blocked or completed I will post a full length version before I begin the painting of all of the character frames.

I still have to sound to take care of also, so I hope I can finish in time... I will try to work as long as I can on this to get it done in time.

Liking the style of it all, its got the right mood etc. the sets look good. :) :arteest:

GerR

08-03-2009, 11:42 AM

Thanks Ian. I really had a black and white painted style in mind from the beginning. Someone I know commented on my progress so far and told me that it looks similar to Hotel Dusk at the stage that it is at. It is actually pretty similar, but as soon as the characters are painted it should look quite different. I was actually surprised because I had never heard of the reference before.

It's been a while since I posted any of my work updates because I don't like having to compile then convert everything to post it. Anyway, this is an animation test of my agent about to interogate his captive.

I only have the animation of the Agent active, I still have to key the rest of the captive and draw 2 more scenes as well as inbetween a couple shots. I should be done with the animation by the end of the week. At that point I can start painting in the shading and detail of the characters and adding in sound+music.

If I have time I am going to repaint some of the backgrounds to give them a bit more detail. Some seem a bit to lacking right now and its throwing off the animation.

Apparently, when I was compiling the animation it was shrunk vertically. I'm going to fix the problem for future updates but I'll leave this one the way it is. When I finish the rest of the shots, I'll post the full length animation. It should be around 80-90 seconds.

Just decided to post this because it was the scene I was workin on yesterday. I'm going to be moving on to the next scene for today.

Only 2 shots left that need animation. Should be able to get the overall animation done by wednesday or at most thursday. Then I can post the rest of the animation. I need to fix a couple things, but it shouldn't take that long.

I finished the animation for all of the scenes except for one. I still need to clean up a couple of shots a bit. Thats what I am working on right now.

I started painting the completed animation cells 2 days ago and like the results so far. I am working on completing the paint for the intro sequence, which is the first 4 shots (one of which is done, working on the second).

This is a teaser for you guys of a finished frame of the animation. There is a little touch-up work that I plan to do later but the shot is basically complete.

I am holding out on posting the animation because I want it to stream together. Doesn't work as well without the additional setup shots.

There were two things I noticed that could improve your animation if you have time. The poses on the punch look really solid, but the timing looks a little soft. Try holding the wind up a few more frames and take a couple out of the actual swing. Right now it kind of looks like he's intensely speed walking. The other thing is to try and get more up and down movement on the run with a clear pose where both feet are off the ground. It might be enough to take that pose and just move it up a little bit.

Can't wait to see more. Keep it up.

GerR

08-22-2009, 02:22 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Ryan. I'll try moving the up frames a little higher and see if it actually improves the motion. I'll also take out some of the frames from the punch and see how it looks.

I'll keep churning out painted frames to get this thing done.

mikebot

08-23-2009, 09:47 PM

Hey, yeah this is great!

If I can suggest something, maybe use a thicker font - what you have right now looks kinda bad after it get's scaled down by the CGTalk player.

Mike

GerR

08-24-2009, 01:22 AM

Thanks a lot Mike! Yeah I noticed that too. I will definitely increase the thickness. It looks fine on the higher rez version but the scaled down one is really just too thin. I'll change it around for the next release.

I've got everything finished except for the making of, which I am working on right now. Before I put everything together, I wanted to get some reactions to my trailers. I made 2 synced cuts and want to know which one you guys prefer.

If I get some feedback on it I will be posting the complete 3 part video sometime tomorrow morning or afternoon.

I've got everything finished except for the making of, which I am working on right now. Before I put everything together, I wanted to get some reactions to my trailers. I made 2 synced cuts and want to know which one you guys prefer.

If I get some feedback on it I will be posting the complete 3 part video sometime tomorrow morning or afternoon.

Fantastic work, interrigation scene is my favorite. I can see how much work you have put in it.
Congratulations and good luck with judging.
_BB

GerR

09-13-2009, 10:06 PM

Thanks a lot Bartosz. Yup lots of work with lots of late nights, glad that I got it all done. I learned so much from doing this and definitely feel a lot of improvement in my painting and animation.

Looking forward to the next competition.

destruct007

09-14-2009, 05:25 AM

wow painstaking work! Great job!

sknne77

09-14-2009, 02:06 PM

very different style of work to alot on here, i like it, cool work dude. bet ya catching up on some sleep?! :)

good luck

GerR

09-14-2009, 06:12 PM

Thanks guys. It really was very painstaking but I certainly got a lot better understanding of animation and painting from doing it. Wish I could catch up on sleep because I desprately need it, but too much other work to get done that I have been neglecting.

redCigarette

10-11-2009, 12:38 AM

Congratulations. The unique style worked great ;)

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